WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — It’s only 13 miles of a 129-mile project, but this week’s planned activation of a second main track between West Palm Beach and Jupiter, Fla., represents tangible progress in Brightline’s northward expansion. Restoration of the second main on Florida East Coast’s line to Cocoa, Fla., helps establish a fluid, 110-mph-capable […]
GARDEN CITY, N.Y. — The Long Island Rail Road’s Third Track project is unlikely to meet its December 2022 completion date because officials in Garden City have delayed permits needed for a rail bridge project, Newsday reports. It’s part of a continuing legal battle between the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the village of Garden City, […]
SAN JOSE, Calif. — The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority has restored service on more of its light rail network, bringing back Blue Line service as of Sunday, Sept. 12. Trains will operate at 20-minute intervals during weekdays and 30-minute intervals evenings and weekends. The VTA also has extended fare-free light rail travel, which was […]
WASHINGTON — Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives are seeking $20 billion to fund transit and high speed rail projects through a proposed $3.5 trillion reconciliation bill, a process not subject to a Senate filibuster. But the Washington Post reports the plan could be contrary to a pledge by President Joe Biden that reconciliation […]
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Southern on Sunday accepted Canadian Pacific’s $300 per share merger offer, spurning Canadian National’s higher bid due to its regulatory obstacles. In a midday press release, KCS said its board had determined CP’s revised offer constituted a “Company Superior Proposal” as defined in the agreement with CN. CP extended the […]
PITTSBURGH — A rail manufacturer, shortline holding company, and university have announced formation of a consortium that they hope will revolutionize American railroading and eventually reduce the industry’s carbon footprint to zero. Pittsburgh-based Wabtec Corp.; Carnegie Mellon University, known for its engineering curriculum; and shortline and regional railroad operator Genesee & Wyoming announced Friday, Sept. 10, […]
VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Canadian Pacific and container-ship operator Maersk have opened their new Vancouver transload facility, adjacent to the railroad’s Vancouver Intermodal Facility. Construction was completed in August, with operations beginning Sept. 1 and first containers arriving earlier this week. The facility will allow cargo to be moved between international containers and domestic 53-foot […]
ATLANTA — Norfolk Southern is awarding $400,000 in grants to aid 31 food banks in 22 states served by the railroad. A list of organizations receiving funding is available in this press release. “Food insecurity impacts every community in our country and disproportionately children and senior citizens. … and while a recovery is underway, many […]
WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) has introduced a bill that would require airline and Amtrak passengers to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result in order to travel. The Washington Post reports that the Safe Travel Act introduced by Beyer, chairman of the House Science, Space, and Technology subcommittee on […]
WASHINGTON — Vandalism is a possible factor in the derailment and fire involving a BNSF oil train in Custer, Wash., in December 2020, according to a Federal Railroad Administration accident report released Thursday. The report cites as other possible contributing factors the crew’s failure to properly inspect the train; BNSF’s failure to comply with rules […]
WASHINGTON — As of today, the Transportation Security Administration is increasing penalties for those who violate the federal mask mandate on trains, planes, and other forms of public transportation. The new penalties range from $500 to $1,000 for first offenders to $1,000 to $3,000 for second offenses. “We appreciate the majority of travelers each day who voluntarily […]
WASHINGTON — U.S. rail traffic for the week ending Sept. 4 fell compared to the same week in 2020, as well as the previous week in 2021. Statistics from the Association of American Railroads show U.S. railroads originated a total of 494,415 carloads and intermodal units, a 3% decrease from the figure for the 35th […]
